Five Days In Holland

When Ron got stuck in the Netherlands during the country wide strike in Nigeria, I took the opportunity to visit him in Arnhem.  It is a medium sized city east of Amsterdam.

While Ron would go in to the GE factory each day, I would walk around the city and take pictures with my new camera.I mean, who gets to do stuff like this!

Warrens of narrow streets lined with quaint little shops all offering lovely wares to locals and tourists alike.

I loved the stained glass on this store front.

Every building is narrow and at least 3 stories tall.

Even though it was mid winter, I found tulips in the flower shops.

At one end of the city square stands a magnificent building.

And a sweet little flower stand.

It rained ALL THE TIME.And once it was so cold the rain turned to hail. 

Here is the inside of a chocolate shop.  I went there twice!

Skinny little shop.

Old school.

Building at river's edge.

River walk.

Here is the tea shop where I had lunch one day.  I had a brie and apple sandwich and bought a sweet to take back to the hotel.

Who could have resisted a slice of this cake.I am not a fan of fondant but this cake was covered with a fondant that was delicious!  I am now on the hunt for a supplier that makes one as good.

The blackberry is covered in edible gold (or gold toned)!  And is tasted wonderful!

On Saturday Ron was able to take the day off and we went to the zoo by bus.

Just a few pictures of some of the animals we encountered.

This bird was so fun.  It was some sort of dove and when we cooed at it, it would coo back at us.

Just a shot of one of the neighborhoods we quickly passed by on the bus ride home.What an unexpected treat this trip was.  But now the strike is over and Ron is back in Nigeria and I am home in Ohio.  Eating dutch chocolate.

Snow Day

Finally, we had our first "real" snow.  After spending a few days home sick at Grandma's (me) Abby had recovered from her fever and her mom and brother came up to take her back home.  But before heading back on the road, the snow was calling them to come and play.

Will grandma ever tire of her new camera!!!

Aim

Fire!

Body sledding

Tired, wet and happy.

Corkscrew Trunk

On the edge of our pasture is this crazy tree that always catches my attention.  A vine had embedded itself into the tree when it was just a sapling causing this unique trunk growth.  One of a kind accident of nature.

 Then on a walk through the woods I found it's twin, except maybe a little younger. 

Isn't nature a hoot!

Taffy

Little bit of sun and Taffy is a happy kitty.

This year both of the girl's families came to our place for Christmas.  It was so much fun to have them all here!

Chloe and her new hat.

Phoebe got one too.

Ryan looooves maple syrup.

Abby was sick and had a rough morning.

Eli in the middle of everything.

After church we went to Grandma and Grandpa Hackwell's.

Chloe.

Phoebe.

Here they are together.

One of Grandma's trees.

Another one.

And another one.

And another one.....Grandma Moore joined in this picture.

Time for more presents.

Five generations of our family.  It was a very merry Christmas.  Hope yours was too!

A Nice Surprise

Do you know what these are?  I didn't either.While walking down by the old apple orchard during Milly's visit we noticed these strange looking pods on the ground and in two trees.  They are spiky and super sharp.  How had we never seen these before?  After pulling one open we found nuts.  In fact they looked like chestnuts.  So we picked up some and took them back to the house and did some research on the net.  Sure enough, they are chestnuts!  Happy dance.....I have chestnut trees!  Today I collected five pounds of the precious nuts.  Now what.  More research and I found out you can freeze them.  So that's what I did.  Froze them, after I held back a few to roast as a snack.  Chestnuts roasting on an open fire......

Yard Sale Finds

What a great day hunting! Garage sales are popping up all over the country side (and in town too). After mapping out my route, I started out early this morning and did I ever have fun! While garage sales aren't as picturesque as our auctions, the prices are sooooo much better. Here is some of the loot I managed to bring home! I tried to call Mom to tell her about one particularly awesome sale but she was at the dentist so she missed it.

This way cute comb and brush holder will look great in the cabin bathroom.

Vintage measuring cups and a biscuit cutter are going to find a home in the cabin's kitchen.

This box is just what I have been looking for to hold old bottles.

The long box will also hold bottles and jars on my breakfast table. Do you see the enamelware funnel and old canning jars?

A hammered pitcher and old brown jug will also go to the cabin.

Ten vintage books will make lovely reading for our grand daughters when they come to visit.

This frame will inspire a new project someday. Never turn down a beautiful vintage frame!!!!!

But my best find was this antique gate leg table for $25.00. Yes I said $25.00! And it is in perfect shape! The little table beside it was only $5.00 but isn't old.

Here it is with the leaves up. The legs are very beautiful.

And when I was polishing it I discovered it has a very deep drawer too. I LOVE it! I think this is my all time favorite garage sale day! I spent a total of $50.00 and many of the items are worth that all by themselves. Yippee!